There doesn’t seem to be a natural replacement for Derek Mason on the Stanford staff. One possible candidate is Clancy Pendergast, former Cal and USC coordinator who has handled the same position for the NFL Cardinals and Chiefs. Head coach David Shaw has frequently praised Pendergast in the past.

Mason, the Stanford defensive coordinator, will be named head coach at Vanderbilt, according to numerous reports. Mason’s agent and Vanderbilt were ironing out the contract Friday, and an announcement could come Saturday. John Ingram, a member of the school’s search committee, told the Nashville Tennessean that Mason would replace James Franklin, who moved to Penn State.

Former Stanford offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, now the Colts’ OC, reportedly down the Vandy job.

Mason, 43, won’t take defeat easily in the rugged Southeastern Conference. The 5-foot-8 former Northern Arizona cornerback said before the Rose Bowl, “I played angry. I played with a chip on my shoulder. … I coach with a chip on my shoulder. I want to be the best. I want these guys to be the best.’’